Parke Vanvliet Kent was born on September 14, 1921, in Panton, Vermont. He was the son of Bruce Parke Kent and Eva Maude Rogers Kent. He was married to Barbara Jean Adams Kent.
Parke served in the 91st Troop Carrier Squadron, 578th Bomber Squadron, 392nd Bomber Group (Heavy) as a Technical Sergeant and Radio Operator of the B-24H #42-7485 'Alfred' in World War II. He survived on January 4, 1944, in the crash of their aircraft when it was returning from the combat mission to Kiel, Germany. Due to severe aircraft damage, they were forced to attempt a crash landing just on the Northeastern coast of East Anglia at the small village of Sheringham, Norfolk. Four (4) crewmen were killed outright in the crash, and a fifth died in a hospital at Cromer four days later. The others also survived.
He was assigned on another mission where he also survived on September 15, 1963, part of the Wienhimer's crew of the B-24 #41-29509 "Knuckle Head." On this date, two missions were briefed and flown by the 392nd. For the morning effort, (18) aircrews were briefed at 0430 hours and took off for a target southwest of Abbeville. At 1400 hours, an additional (26) aircrews were briefed for the second target this date, and take-offs began around 1525 hours. Lieutenants Jackson and Colburn of the 576th and 577th Squadrons respectively were assigned lead Bombardiers on this mission. Both Squadrons attacked the assigned target with pinpoint accuracy. No enemy aircraft opposition was seen, and only heavy AA fire was encountered when the Group got south of course outbound. One (1) aircraft from the 578th, with 2nd Lieutenant J. Weinheimer's crew, was severely damaged which ultimately resulted in the crew crash landing at an RAF field.
Returning debriefings gave an account that this aircraft had been hit by flak at 50-55N; 03-20E with one man bailing out over the Continent; the ship finally crashed landed just off-shore near Westgate-on-Sea, Kent, with 5 of the crew killed and four injured in the crash. The date of this final 392nd de-briefing account was June 1, 1944.
TSgt Kent became a POW in this mission and survived the war. He died on September 15, 163, at the age of 42, and is now buried in the Kent Cemetery, Panton, Addison County, Vermont, USA. His unit and rank on his headstone are SGT and 4147 Base Unit AAF.
Source of information: www.findagrave.com